Process and apparatus for coiling strip material



R. E. ASBURY ET AL May 30, 1939.

v PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR COILING STRIP MATERIAL Filed March 24, 1937 M nsk INVENTORS JP/u PH 1 Asa/RY.

.ATTORNEY Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,160,396 PnocEss AND APPARATUS FOR comma s'rmr MATERIAL poration oi Ohio Application March 24,

14 Claims.

Our invention has to do with the problem of coiling strip material of light gauge and characterized by lack of flatness. It relates especially also to the coiling of wide, thin gauge strip material and material of relatively low inherent strength, or brittle material, or material which is not able to withstand great tensile strains, or material which has a rough surface. All of these qualities in strip metal tend to render the material difficult to coil; and where several or all of them are present in the same material, the problem becomes a very serious one. For the purpose of an exemplary disclosure, we shall describe our invention in connection with the 15 coiling of thin silicon steel which presents these difliculties in somewhat exaggerated measure;

but it will be understood that our invention is not confined to the coiling of this specific material.

The material to be coiled may have been rolled in strip form or it-may have been formed into a strip by the butt-welding of individual sheets, strips or the like, and we are at present employ ing our invention in connection with means for making, by welding, thin silicon steel or other metallic strip in indefinite lengths, as described in the co-pending application of James E. Fay and E0 Reed, entitled Welding process and apparatus for thin sheet metal, Serial No. 132,824, filed March 24, 1937, and the application in the names of James E. Fay and E0 Reed, entitled Process and apparatus for securing accurately butted sheet ends for welding, Serial No. 132,- 825, filed March 24, 1937. The coils which are desired are usually large coils containing a great length of the sheet metal. Since the sheet metal is usually wide, these coils are not only quite bulky, but very heavy. It has been found inrpossible to coil such material satisfactorily on the usual coiling apparatus in the usual horizontal way. Silicon steel strip isgenerally characterized by marked lack of flatness, and in the usual horizontal coiling method this lack of flatness tends to make the convolutions of the coil 45 run out at both ends of the coil. It is impracticable to attempt to get around this difliculty by loosely coiling the material between-end flanges on the coiler drum, since a loose coil is not desired and is difiicult to handle. It is not practi- 50 cable to attempt to cure the difficulty by coiling under tension, since because of the thinness of the material and its inherent brittleness and lack of tensile strength, the material cannot be pulled tightly enough during coiling to flatten it out and prevent the run-outs aforesaid. More- 1937, Serial No. 132, 826

over, the tendency for the convolutions to run out at the edges of the coil are likely to damage the edges of the material if confining flanges are used. Moreover, it has not been found possible to wind a coil loosely and then subsequently 5 tighten it by any procedure we have been able to find or devise.

The fundamental 'object of our invention, therefore, is'to provide, by way of process and apparatus, solutions for the several difficulties set forth hereinabove; and other ancillary objects, which will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, we accomplish by that certain construction and arrangement of parts and 15 by that process and method of operation of which we shall now set forth the aforesaid exemplary embodiment. Reference is made to the drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of our coiling device showing also diagrammatically the means for forming the strip by welding as set forth in the copending applications referred to above.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the coiling apparatus of Fig. 1 taken along the lines 22 of that figure.

Fig.- 3 is an elevation of the periodic restraining device taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a winding drum or mandrel of the expansible type, which we prefer to use, the view being taken along the lines 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Briefly, in thepractice of our invention, we have found that we can solve the problems set forth hereinabove by a procedure which involves essentially the steps of coiling the metal with the axis of the coil vertically disposed, coiling the metal loosely so far as the formation of the convolutions is concerned, and by periodically v tightening the coil as individual convolutionsor small numbers of convolutions are formed. We have found also if the coiling is done vertically,

I as for example, about a mandrel or drum with a vertical axis, and with a suitable flange provided horizontally beneath the coil, and if the coil is wound loosely so far as the formation of the convolutions is concerned, the weight of the metal as it is being formed with each convolution, will keep the ends of the coils in alignment and will prevent running out at the ends of the coil or damage, to the strip edges. We .have'further found that if a convolution is wound loosely on a mandrel or on a coil partially formed and then is tightened, tight coiling may be done without injury to the material and without the forma- 55 plete winding of each convolution; but we have found it possible to secure a fair result by tightening operations occurring after each winding of two or three convolutions- The nature .of the material being wound will determine in large part, however, how many convolutions can be loosely wound before the tighteningoperation,

so that we do not intend-to be limited to any particular number of convolutions between tightening operations. We have found that thecoil'does not tend appreciably, to loosen up after the conclusion of the tightening operation. In part, this effect may be due .to the frictional effect of the convolutions against each other; and

we .have found that the effect is very marked in coiling material which normally has a somewhat rough surface, such as silicon steel; but the effect is also due to the fact that after a convoilution has been tightened under the application of considerable force, a very much smaller force is all that is required to keep the coil from loosening. Thus in coiling operations even with smooth surface material, such for example, as cold rolled iron or steel, stainless steel, and the like, the force required to pull the strip to the coiling drum is suflicient to prevent any unwinding of the coil intermediate the tightening operations; We prefer, in the practice of our invention, to provide automatically acting means timed with the rotation of the winding drum to apply the tightening force periodically, so that our coiling apparatus and procedure requires no more attention on the part of the operator than would an ordinary coiling device or method.

Coming nowto a specific description of-the exemplary embodiment of our invention, we have shown in Fig. 1 sheets of metal I, being sheared at their ends by a shear 2, and being butted and welded to form a strip by a mechanism indicated at 3. A feeding or movement device for the strip thus formed is indicated at 4, and at 5 is indicated a mechanism for rolling the welded joint.

' movement. The

- mover, such as an These variousmechanisms are preferably such as are described in one or more of the co-pending applications referred to above; but it will be understood that they do not form limitations on the invention herein claimed.

The strip thus formed in a horizontal plane is turned so as to lie in a vertical plane by any suitable means, such as the series of tilting rollers shown at 5. Before it .passes to the. vertical coiling drum or mandrel I, it passes over anvil means 8 on each side of which, preferably, there are rollers 9 to protect and prevent kinking of the strip. The anvil forms part of a periodically acting tightening device, the coacting portion of which comprises presser feet or a brake member or brake shoes I adapted to press against the strip la on the anvil, and .thereby restrain its drum 1 is driven in any desired way from a suitable source of power orprime electric motor ll. Normally there is no great tension on the strip la, so that as the drum 1 is rotated by the motor H the strip is loosely coiled thereon. The coil rests upon a table or flange l2 and a coil is formed which has substantially true edges. The restraining means 8-H], however, is arranged to be eriodically actuated to restrain the movement of the strip la, as will hereinafter be set forth,

and this actuation is so timed as to restrain the strip after the winding of a single convolution or at most after the windingof a small number of convolutions. When the strip is so restrained the coil is tightened, as will be obvious, because of the fact that-the drum 1 is still being driven under power. The mechanism which automatically presses the foot l0 against the strip on the flange and drum or mandrel may be tilted from the vertical to the horizontal position, the coil strapped or banded and removed more easily from the coiling device. The vertical shaft l.5 of the mandrel passes through the table or flange l2 and the mandrel itself is. fastened thereto. 1 We have shown a type of structure in which the flange or table does not rotate with the mandrel, although a variant of the structure in which the flange or table rotates with the mandrel will be within the skill of the worker within the art to Y devise if he prefers it. The mandrel is preferably of the expanding and contracting type .so

that it may be loosened from the coil at the conclusion of the coiling operation. We ha s illustrated in section one suitable form of such mandrel having a fixed section l6 keyed to theshaft l5 and movable sections I1 and I8 pivoted as at l9 and 20 to the fixed section. The movable sections may be urged toward each other (i.

e., into contracted position) by a spring or'the like 2|, and a cam or other means 22 may be provided for expanding the mandrel at the start of a coiling operation. One suitable drive for the mandrel is illustrated in Fig. 2, although other drives will be found equally suitable. Here a main drive shaft 23 is mounted in suitable bearings in the base I3. It may be driven by the prime mover H through a suitable gear reduction box 24 by means of a chain connecting a sprocket 25a with a sprocket 25 on the shaft.

The shaft is connected by a bevel gear combination 26 to a vertical shaft 21, also journaled in the base I3. This shaft may bear a pinion 28 meshing with a pinion 29 on the mandrel shaft Hi. When the flange or table and mandrel are tiltedto the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the pinion 29 comes out of its normal meshing relationship with the pinion 28.

The restraining device, as has been indicated, comprises the anvil member 8 which may conveniently be a frame member of channel or other suitable shape on each side of which the rolls 9 are preferably mounted as by suitable brackets The table or flange I2 is preferably 30. In Fig. 3 upper and lower frame members 3| and 32 areshown as connected by vertical members 33 and 34. Rods 35 are slidably mountmay be actuated by a cam 39 upon which the 75 able protuberance or cam surface 40 which, upon contacting with the roller 31 during the rotation of the cam 39, forces the shoes l0 into clamping engagement with the strip la, as has been described above.

The cam 39 is fixedly attached to a shaft 4| suitably journaled in brackets or the like .42, on the frame of the machine or a suitable extension of such frame. Also fixed on the shaft is a sprocket 43; and this sprocket is driven from or in connection with the main drive shaft 23 of the coiler drum, so that the cam 39 rotates in timed relationship to the drum, for reasons already set forth.

The particular drive here illustrated comprises a sprocket 44 fixed on the main drive shaft 23 and connected by means of a chain 45 to a sprocket 46 on a stub shaft 41 journaled inthe frame. The other end of this shaft bears a sprocket 48 connected by a chain 49 to the sprocket 43 on the shaft bearing the cam 39. It will be understood, of course, that other drive means. may be employed.

In the operation of the device, the coiler'drum' 1 is driven by means of the motor H. In coiling a preformed strip it may .be driven steadily for as long as the coiling operation takes. In the welding of strip and in' the coiling of it as it is being welded, it will be necessary, of course, to

interrupt or suspend the coiling operation at intervals. In either event, however, the restraining mechanism positively timed with the coiling drum, will, of course, be actuated so as to produce the desired effect. This eflect'may be summarized as follows: When the coiler drum I has made a complete revolution or a small. number of complete revolutions, the cam means 33, 40 forces the shoes l0 against the strip and forces the strip against the anvil 8, thereby clamping the=strip and tending to restrain its movement frictionally. This occurs during the continued rotation of the coiler drum. As a consequence,

the single preformed turn or small number of preformed turns are tightened on the mandrel after having been wound loosely was to prevent running out at the ends of the coil. The operation is repeated dur1ng the entire coiling, and in this way wehave succeeded in making large, even, and tightly coiled coils of sheet metal which does not possess flatness.

'It will be understood that the embodiment 'herein described is exemplary only of mechanism which can be employed in the practice of our invention, and that modifications in the organization as such, as well as modifications in the coiling drum, the restraining device, the drives therefor and the like, will be within the skill of the worker in the art to produce without departing from the spirit of our invention. Having thus described a particular embodiment of our invention, we have expressed in the accompanying claims the inventive concept involved in our work.

What we claim as new and desire to secure convolution thereabout, and after the formation of said convolution, restraining the material as it passes to the mandrel during the rotation thereof, whereby to tighten said convolution, and

repeating said 'steps throughout the coiling of the material.

3. A process of coiling strip materialwhich comprises winding said material loosely about a mandrel with the axis of said mandrel in a vertical position, providing a support for one end of the coil as formed, winding a convolution loosely whereby said convolution can rest by its weight against said support, and during the .continued rotation of said mandrel restraining said material, whereby said convolution is tightened, and continuing saidsteps throughout the coiling of said material.

4. Aprocess of coiling material about a vertically disposed mandrel provided with a support for one end of the coil to be formed, which comprises loosely winding said material about said mandrel so as to form an even coil an edge of which corresponds to said support, but during the winding of said coil applying restraint periodically to said material whereby to tighten at most a small number of convolutions previously loosely formed.

5. A process of .coiling strip material charac terized by lack of flatness, which comprises loosely forming convolutions of said material about a mandrel but after the formation of at most a small number of convolutions about said mandrel tightening said convolutions against said mandrel, all as part of a winding procedure which may be carried on without interruption.

6. A process of winding strip material characterized by lack of flatness, which comprises formbe maintained in desired relationship by said support, but at intervals during the formation of said coil in the manner aforesaid, restraining the materialwhile continuing the winding operation whereby a small number of convolutions previously formed will be tightened in said coil.

"7. In a coiling device for forming convoluted coils of strip-like material a vertically disposed mandrel on which successive convolutions may be wound, a support for the edge of a coil formed about said mandrel, a vertically disposed anvil in proximity to said mandrel and means for restraining material during the rotation of said mandrel so as to tighten convolutions thereon, means for actuating said last mentioned means, and means-for timing the actuation of said restraining means at intervals in accordance with and during the rotation of said mandrel.

8. Ina mechanism for forming convoluted coils of strip-like material, the combination of a mandrel, means for driving said mandrel, restraining means for material being coiled on said mandrel, and actuating means for said restraining means operating in timed sequence with andv during the rotation of said mandrel.

"9. In' a mechanism for forming convoluted coils of strip-like material, the combination of a mandrel, means for driving said mandrel; re-

straining means for material being coiled onsaid mandrel, and actuating means for said restraining means operating in timed sequence with and during the rotation of said mandrel, the axis coils of strip-like material, the combination of a mandrel, means for driving said mandrel, restraining means for material being coiled on said mandrel, and actuating means for said restraining means operating in timed sequence with and during the rotation of said mandrel, the axis of said mandrel being vertically disposed, and a support located in connection with said mandrel upon which a coil located thereon may rest.

11. In a mechanism for forming convoluted coils of strip-like material, the combination of a mandrel, means for driving said mandrel, restraining means for material being coiled on said mandrel, and actuating means for said restraining means operating in timed sequence with and during the rotation of said mandrel, the axis of said mandrel being vertically disposed, asupport located in connection with said mandrel upon which a coil located thereon may rest, and means whereby said mandrel may be tilted from the vertical position whereby a coil may be more easily removed therefrom.

12. In a mechanism for forming convoluted coils of strip-like material, the combination of a mandrel, means for driving said mandrel, restraining means for material being coiled on said mandrel, and actuating means for said restraining means operating in timed sequence with and during the rotation of said mandrel, said restraining means comprising an anvil against which the material being coiled passes, and friction means for pressing sai'd material against said anvil.

14. In a. mechanism for 'forming convoluted.

coils of strip-like material, the combination of a mandrel, means for driving said mandrel, restraining means for material being coiled on said mandrel, and actuating means for said restraining means operating in timed sequence with and during the rotation of said mandrel,

said restraining means comprising an anvilagainst which the material being coiled passes, and friction means for pressing said material against said anvil, said friction means comprising shoes, and means for actuating said shoes in timed sequence with the rotation of said mandrel, said last mentioned means comprising a cam, a mechanical connection between said cam and said mandrel, and a follower actuated by said cam and connected with said shoes.

RALPH E. ASBURY. no 

